Irish Music

I am a tenor banjoist and have been playing Irish music in New York City for the last nine years.  Since its formation in 2000 I have been a member of and since 2005, leader, of the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra.  In November 2008 I was elected Public Relations Officer for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Mick Moloney founded the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra [WSHSO] at NYU in 2000.  The group plays traditional Irish music with a focus on older tunes, tunes with New York City history, and tunes with interesting stories attached. Our repertory and sound recalls that of the Irish-American dance bands of the early twentieth century, including The Four Provinces Orchestra, Dan Sullivan’s Shamrock Band, Pat Roche’s Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, and Erin’s Pride Orchestra. While you may find other, similar groups out there, beware of imitators–there is no group out there so uniquely able to add a sense of occasion to all manner of events.  We gig regularly have played at the Consulate General of Ireland New York, Peter Norton Symphony Space, Town Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, American Irish Historical Society, Irish Arts Center, WFUV, South Street Seaport Museum, and Battery Park.

I lead sessions periodically around the city (often with my wife, Gail).   The one I currently lead takes place on Saturday afternoons from 4:00-7:00pm at Lillie’s Irish Victorian Bar & Restaurant.  Lillie’s is at 13 East 17th Street between 5th Avenue and Union Square Park in New York City.